“It was just one of those stories that seems to occur – it’s just disappointing and annoying. Pepe is fantastic here, he is a lifeblood of this team. Everything he does around the club is excellent – he is always lively in the dressing room, he is always first class in training and he always wants to do more to improve.

“He demands better from those around him, he is always pushing people on. He is a player who we hold in the highest esteem. We have heard nothing from Manchester United and, more to the point, we don’t want to hear anything from Manchester United. If (Sir Alex) Ferguson is looking around at the end of the season and he has got lots of money to replace (Edwin) van der Sar, he might very well want Pepe Reina because he is the best around.”

So if United cant get Reina, who can they get? It’s clear United need a keeper, Any suggestions?

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Talks with David Gill about renewing the Rooneys contract at United stalled back in August and with only one year remaining on his contract the 24-year-old has made it clear he wants to leave.

Sir Alex is “shocked and bemused” as to why Rooney would want to leave “The best club in the world”

So, “where to” for Rooney? Like I said before in “The start of Rooney to Real” there are only a few clubs he could actually go to.

Real Madrid, Manchester City and maybe Chelsea are the only clubs I think he would go to. He wouldn’t fit in Barcelona, and he wouldn’t go to Italy, cause it doesn’t fit his style of play.

Both Real Madrid and Chelsea have successful striking duos. Real have Ronaldo and Higuain, and Chelsea have Drogba and Anelka. Manchester City have Tevez, and every other striker they have is expendable (Santa Cruz, Adebayor, Balotelli, and Jo) and we’ve seen what Rooney and Tevez could do together.

Where do you think Rooney will go?

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Aon will likely be the front shirt sponsor, and like always there are a number of user created kits circulating the web. Here are just a few.

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Milan is widely known for their ability to extend careers. Maldini was 40 when he retired, Favalli is 38, Inzaghi and Dida are 36, Seedorf, Nesta and Beckham are 34. Zambrotta and Oddo are 33. Kaladze, Gattuso, Abbiati, Jankulovski, and Ambrosini are all 32.

Berbatov would be a considered a child there, and the Serie A would be a perfect fit for the lanky striker.

An unnamed source at the Rossoneri told The Sun: “No contact has been made yet but we admire Berbatov.”

“He is a stong player who would do well in Italy. Whether something can be arranged remains to be seen. It has been difficult for Berbatov in Manchester, but he is a good player who has a lot to offer.”

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In the statement released by Europe‘s governing body it stated “All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their suspensions when Barcelona FC meet Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May”

Honestly, I am more than happy to give up Fletcher for both Abidal and Daniel Alves. Both of them are much more important to Barca than Fletcher is to United.

If Fletcher doesn’t play we have Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, even Carrick who could play in the middle. While Barca would rather drop Yaya Toure, their best holding midfielder, to play center back and play with the absolutely horrid Sergio Busquets in the center of midfield.

Pep didn’t have enough confidence in Caceres to play him a single minute and now he may be forced to start in the final. While the very weak Sylvinho will most likely play left back for Abidal.

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According to Castrol football Rooney is currently the best player in Europe. Castrol has put together some statistics to back up their claim. Mainly, how many goals the player has been directly involved in.

Rooney has been involved in 9 of England’s 14 goals during the qualifiers. While United teammate Nani comes in at third but hasn’t really helped Portugal.

For more information visit Castrolfootball.com

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I hope these are not the real kits, they are hideous, Nike could do so much more with this concept  and make an amazing looking kit.

6/3/09 Update: Check out the link below for the latest images of the 2010 shirt. AIG is still the sponsor.

http://www.manutdblog.com/manchesterunited/breaking-news/manchester-united-2009-2010-jersey

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Ok, Its time for me to mention the Quintuple. I haven’t wanted to mention it mainly because … it’s a QUINTUPLE!

Two weeks ago United had just tied Inter and had the Carling Cup final that Sunday. As buzz about the  Quintuple began, Sir Alex said he would field the team that got him to the Carling Cup final, which included the likes of Welbeck, Gibson, and Foster. Then Sir Alex made it clear that his priority was the Champions League.

At that point the Quintuple still remained an illusive, unattainable accomplishment. It didn’t help that United would field a group of inexperienced second team players for a final, but much to my surprise the youngsters pulled it off.

United then thrashed Fulham at Craven Cottage 4-0 to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.

On Wednesday United outplayed Inter and got a much deserved win over the Italian side sending them through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Now, I believe, Its safe to realistically mention the Quintuple! An accomplishment like this would immortalize this generation of players!

The Premier League is United’s, having climbed to 7 points ahead of the competition and a game in hand. This weekend will definitely be a crucial one as United take on Liverpool and Chelsea take on Manchester City.

And in both the FA Cup and Champions League, there isn’t a team left with the pace, depth, and attacking power to beat Manchester United

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The Scot claims the club is built on foundations of togetherness and that anyone who threatens that could be asked to leave.  Rumors are flying high that Sir Alex has imposed a 1 million pound fine to all the players that was involved in the Christmas Party.  Man, I love his  Scotsman, he’s got balls and I agree with what he has done 100%.He said: “Football has changed but you cannot lose your control. That is why we make changes here at Manchester United when we see anyone interfering with this sense of control.”

With the January transfer window just days away Ferguson could have the opportunity to sell any of those players he thinks are causing trouble.  Sir Alex Ferguson has been known to be hard on all his players and have never hesitated to sell his stars, because of ill discipline. 

“When we see this, then it’s time for them to go because this club is based on everyone being together,” said the United boss.

“When we start going off at tangents you have to assess it – definitely.”

Ferguson also said he does not like the way modern-day footballers feel they must steal the limelight away from their team-mates, insisting no individual is bigger than the team.

“What annoys me about some players today is this personal glory thing. It’s ugly seeing these kind of celebrations.”

But Ferguson maintains he has no intention of walking away from Old Trafford himself, claiming his current squad is the best he has ever worked with.

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Investigations into the Christmas party at Great John Street hotel in the centre of Manchester began yesterday when police revealed they were looking into an incident of alleged sexual assault.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester police said the suspect had turned himself in for questioning and was still in police custody.

Previously it was reported that the entire first team was present at the party except for winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Media sources have reported that the football club’s stars had attended the party after hitting the town in the afternoon.

After visiting a casino earlier in the day, they went to the Old Grapes pub before some of the stars came to the party at the fashionable hotel.

Last night, police revealed that they had been called to the hotel at 04:15 GMT after receiving reports that a 26-year-old had allegedly been raped

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